The Elizabethan books in order

The Elizabethan series by Tony Riches follows prominent figures from Elizabeth I's court, with each novel telling the story of a different historical person, beginning with Drake - Tudor Corsair.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 Drake - Tudor Corsair 2020 Tony Riches Buy
2 Essex - Tudor Rebel 2021 Tony Riches Buy
3 Raleigh - Tudor Adventurer 2022 Tony Riches Buy
4 Penelope - Tudor Baroness 2023 Tony Riches Buy
5 Frances - Tudor Countess 2024 Tony Riches Buy

The Elizabethan series is Tony Riches’ most recent sequence of Tudor historical fiction. Unlike the Tudor Trilogy and Brandon Trilogy, which follow connected characters across multiple books, this series devotes each novel to a different person from Elizabeth I’s court. Drake - Tudor Corsair (2020) covers the life of Sir Francis Drake, the privateer who became a national hero after his circumnavigation and role in defeating the Spanish Armada. Essex - Tudor Rebel (2021) tells the story of Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, whose volatile relationship with the aging queen led to his execution for treason.

Raleigh - Tudor Adventurer (2022) follows Sir Walter Raleigh, the explorer and courtier who spent over a decade imprisoned in the Tower of London. The two most recent entries shift focus to women of the court: Penelope - Tudor Baroness (2023) and Frances - Tudor Countess (2024). Riches writes each book in first person, letting the historical figures speak for themselves. The series covers roughly the second half of Elizabeth’s reign, a period of naval warfare, political conspiracy, and colonial ambition that gives Riches plenty of material to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the The Elizabethan series?

There are five books in the The Elizabethan series, published between 2020 and 2024.

What is the first book in the The Elizabethan series?

The first book in the The Elizabethan series is Drake - Tudor Corsair, published in 2020.

Do the books in The Elizabethan series need to be read in order?

Each book in The Elizabethan series focuses on a different historical figure and works as a standalone novel. However, reading them in publication order gives a sense of the evolving political landscape of Elizabeth I’s reign, and some characters reappear across books. Starting with Drake - Tudor Corsair is recommended but not strictly necessary.

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